Nuclear Mercy Mission On Its Way To Poland

NEW YORK — A plane carrying food and medical supplies flew with the Pope`s blessing Saturday on a mercy mission to aid Polish victims of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster.

The cargo of milk, vitamins and iodide, donated by several U.S. businesses and pharmaceutical firms, foundations and Catholic charitable organizations, was to arrive in Warsaw Saturday after a 15-hour flight.

The mission was organized by Americares Foundation of New Canaan, Conn., whose honorary chairman is Zbigniew Brzezinski, national security adviser to former President Jimmy Carter.

A cable from the Vatican to Americares said: ``This mercy lift has received the enthusiastic blessings of his holiness, Pope John Paul II, and his eminence John Cardinal Krol on behalf of the Polish people.``

In a personal statement, the Pope, who is Polish, said: ``This mercy lift is a magnificent humanitarian endeavor on the part of the United States of America.``

The supplies were to be distributed through the Catholic Church in Poland.